Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-04-01
OHIO HISTORY.
GAINESVILLE Selected as the State
Capital Seventy-Seven
Years Ago.
Ebenezer Zane and His son-ln-Law, John
McIntlre-How tho Latter Upheld the
Laws In Musklngum County.

A point for tho permanent location OF tho Cap
ital OF Ohio was fixed upon with great diflicu ty
From tho organization OF the State Government
IN 1892 and 1903, until 1910, the Capital was
Chillicotho.
In 1909 a law wat passed transferring the seat
OF Government TO GAINESVILLE, where 1t remained
for two years. and was then removed back "a
ChillLcothe.
The ambitious towns OF Ohio nil wanted to be
selected as tho permanent scat OF the state
Government and the contest over the matter
rose TO the point OF bitterness. CINCINNATI
Chillicotho, Lancaster, Marietta and othei
places urged their claims upon successive Leg
fslaturos with persistency and force Chilli
cothe, which was the homo OF the shrewdest
politicians In the State, held the Capital TIL
1910, and secured its return two years later,
md would no doubt have become the final
choice OF the State had not geographical con
alterations been advanced against II.
The towns OF Ohio were so small and so poor
in the first decade OF this century that II was
thought worth while TO make great point oil
trying to secure tho capital. Tho notion was
that its location In town would make that
towns future prosperity and greatness certain
So when the Offices OF the State were moved to
GAINESVILLE there was mirthful rejoicing on the
part OF its citizens. Real estate advanced In
price, and great deal OF land in the county
that had remained unsought was entered. The
GAINESVILLE people thought II they succeeded IN
bringing the State government 10 thelr toWn
that they would be able TO retain IL. There was
apparently little doubt on that point. The
hopeful minds OF the early people OF the town
scared OF on wings of prophecy, and they saw
great city springing up about them, and fancied
that tho powerful mart and metropolis OF the
West was destined to spread over the rich Dot
toms and engaging hillsides that mark the
natural scenery OF the charming country watered
by the Muslxingum and Licking, about the re-
gion OF their confluence.
II there is spot near tho central part oil
Ohio that nature has richly endowed with the
Qualities that make desirable site for great
city, the founder of Zavcsvillo discovered 1t
and laid his town out upon IL. Magnificent
rivers, energetic water power, efficient natural
drainage and salubrious hill-tops make sum
of primeval advantages that few other cities in
the State possess.
In the race for opulence, population and
commercial Importance GAINESVILLE had fairer
start than any Of Its rivals, save Marietta and
Cincinnati. Possibly these sketches may show,
in an indirect wny, how its business oppor'
tunities were missed.
When GAINESVILLE became the second Capital
OF Ohio II accomplished two things. 1t brought
itself into temporary prominence, and 1t be-
came target for the slings and arrows OF all
river Muskingum there was u sprghtly little
settlement and town called Putnam, after the
illustrious founder of the State. 1t was smaller
than GAINESVILLE but there were more people of
intelligence there at that time So Putnam be-
came q claimant for the honor OF being the
Capital city. A stone house was made ready
and put at the disposal OF the Legislature, but
that body met in the GAINESVILLE house that had
been built for its accommodation.